Tesla Semi mass production has officially begun.
Long Range
• Range: ~500 miles
• 4680 cells
• Fully electric steering assist (vs hydraulic before)
• Uses beefed up Cybertruck actuators
• 48 volt architecture
• Powertrain: 3 independent motors on rear axles
• Drive Power: Up to 800 kW
• Curb Weight: 23,000 lbs
• Energy Consumption: 1.7 kWh per mile
• Fast Charging: Up to 60% of range in 30 mins
• Charge Type: MCS 3.2
• ePTO (Electric Power Take Off): Up to 25 kW
$290,000 before destination charges.
Short Range / Standard Range Tesla Semi
Range: ~325 miles (at full 82,000 lbs GCW)
Curb weight: less than 20,000 lbs (lighter battery pack, shorter wheelbase for better maneuverability)
Energy consumption: 1.7 kWh per mile
Powertrain: 3 independent motors on rear axles
Drive power: Up to 800 kW
Fast charging: Up to 60% of range in 30 minutes (MCS 3.2 charger. Oeak ~1.2 MW capable)
ePTO (Electric Power Take-Off): Up to 25 kW
Other notes: Uses 4680 cells (designed for 1 million-mile drivetrain life), 48V architecture, fully electric steering assist.
Price: Approximately $250,000–$260,000 (pre-destination fees/taxes; based on customer quotes reported in early 2026).
Diesel Freightliner Cascadia
Price for New 2026 models typically $155k–$208k.
Efficiency is ~9 mpg is a solid real-world average for modern newer Cascadia (varies 7–10+ mpg depending on load/route).
Payload/GCW is comparable 82k GCW capability with lower curb weight than most EVs.
Current Diesel Fuel Costs (April 2026)
60-80 cents per mile for fuel (9 mpg) versus 14-34 cents per mile for Tesla Semi Electric.
1.7 kWh at Wholesale electricity 8-20 cents in the USA per kwh. At superchargers, 40 cents per kWh for 68 cents per kWh. Expensive top-up to get back to the charging depot. Pepsi and other clients are going from their warehouses with charging and returning to the same location.
United States National on-highway diesel average is ~$5.35–$5.60 per gallon. There have been spikes from iran war and Hormuz events. Retail pumps vary by region $4.20–$5.75. Fleets often pay slightly less via bulk contracts.
Europe (EU average)
€1.94–2.02 per liter (~$8.00–$8.40 per gallon equivalent, depending on exchange rate). Prices are significantly higher due to taxes (varies by country: e.g., Netherlands ~€2.46/L, cheaper in Eastern Europe).
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.
